Energy cell construction



ENERGY CELL (IONSTRUCTION Frank McGowan, Muskegon, Mich, assignor t C0ntinentai Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation Application August 3, 1955, Serial No. 526,266

12 Claims. (Cl. 123-32).

interconnected by restricted venturi-like openings, enjoy wide use in industry today. Therefore a detailed description of their operation is unnecessary for the understanding of my invention, being Well known to those skilled in the art.

However, such energy cell structures are rather expensive to make and in addition expensive step boring and reaming of the cylinder head as well as lapping of the cell in the head is required for their installation. Moreover, since the fuel which is burned inside the cell generates a greater amount of heat than can be efficiently transferred to the engine cooling system, and practically complete combustion being accomplished in the rearmost lobe, the energy cells frequently burn out. This necessitates scrapping the expensive cell and refitting and lapping a new one in the head.

With the above problem in mind, an object of my invention is to materially reduce the cost of such energy cell structure by providing a cell construction comprising a minimum of simplified machined parts capable of being easily installed in a non-stepped bore in the cylinder head, the cylinder head bore itself being a part of the energy cell structure.

Another object of my invention is to provide an energy cell parts, either of single or multiple lobe type, may be easily installed and retained.

A further object of my invention is to prolong the life of energy cells by providing a construction in which heat transfer from the cells to the engine cooling system is more efliciently accomplished.

For a more detailed understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of my invention wherein like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross section elevational view illustrating a portion of cylinder head comprising one type of energy cell construction.

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating a second type of energy cell construction.

Fig. 3 is another similar view illustrating a third type of energy cell construction.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1, an engine cylinder head comprising a combustion chamber 11, a water cooled jacket 12 having suitable passages 13 for the circulation of coolant, and a fuel injection apparatus 14 of conventional con- Patented Sept. 17, 1957 struction and operation, has a single straight bore 15 from the outside of the head 10 inward to the combustion chamber 11.

The boring operation consists in drilling a bore to a diameter substantially as indicated at 15a slightly inclined to the plane perpendicular to the combustion chamber wall. The bore 15 is then reamed to required finished size, as indicated bydiameter 15, but the reaming operation stops short slightly before fully entering the combustion chamber, leaving a substantially semicircular tapering lip 01- shouldery16 at the inner end. The shoulder 16 then acts as a stop or abutment against which the parts of the energy cell are seated.

The energy cell illustrated in Fig. 2 is a single lobe type comprising a sleeve portion 20 and a backing plug portion 21. The sleeve portion has a conical recess 22 at the end adjacent the combustion end and a straight bore 23 with an inner countersink or taper 24. The recess and bore are axially connected by a restricted orifice 25. The sleeve portion 24} abuts the shoulder 16 of the bore 15, and the backing plug portion 21 abuts the sleeve portion 2% and is peened or otherwise secured in place within bore 15 as at 26.

Fig. l illustrates the preferred two lobe type of energy cell construction which is similar to the construction of the single cell except that instead of a solid backing plug portion, a short venturi type sleeve 21a peened in place also as at 26 is utilized having tapered recesses 27 and 28 on each end and communicating by means of an orifice 29 similar to orifice 25 of Fig. l. in this construction, the second lobe or chamber 30 is actually formed by the bore 15. I

Fig. 3 illustrates a triple lobe type of construction in which two sleeves 31a and 31b differing in size only from sleeve 2t) of Figs. land 2 and a venturi-type sleeve 31c similar to sleeve 21a of Fig. 2 are respectively installed in bore 15 and also peened in place as at 26.

Bore 15 is threaded at the outer end for the installation of a plug 35, which in Figs. 2 and 3 forms the outermost end of the largest chamber or lobe 3t and in Fig. l merely serves to close the opening to bore 15. V

In the operation of an energy cell of multiple-lobe construction, combustion of the fuel injected into the energy cell is substantially complete in the inner chamber or lobe. Thus,'the greatest pressure and greatest heat is generated therein. In my invention, the inner lobe 30 of Figs. 1 and 3 is primarily formed of the bore 15 in the cylinder head itself and this construction permits the most rapid heat transfer through the Water cooled jacket 12 to the coolant passages 13. Consequently, multiple lobe energy cells so constructed have longer useful service life than the type of cell heretofore employed. In addition, the single bore through the cylinder head is much less costly and time consuming to machine and service than the complex multiple step boring and reaming necessary heretofore; Also, the machined parts are readily replaceable and interchangeable so that the same cylinder head may be changed over from one type of energy cell installation to another, an operation requiring no additional work on the cylinder head and necessitating no lapping of the energy cell structure to the head, since the energy cell parts are machined to fit the cylinder head bore rather than the bore being made to lit the energy cell. All the advantages noted make for uniformity of construction and a standardization of replaceable components, ends to which industry is constantly striving to achieve.

Although I have described and illustrated but a few embodiments of my invention, it will be evident to those skilled in the art to which my invention pertains that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine of the type employing a water cooled jacketedcylinder head having an energy cell structure of a plurality of intermediate axially aligned lobes, and a combustion chamber, said energy cell structure comprising a bore drilled into the cylinder head and communicating with the combustion chamber, a member assembled in said bore at the end adjacent said combustion chamber, said member having a hollow portion forming a cell-like lobe and a venturi portion intermediate said lobe and combustion chamber, and a second member secured in said bore and abutting the other end of said first member remote from the venturi portion to lock said first member in said bore, and a plug for said bore, said second member having a restricted venturi opening to place said cell in open restricted communication with the said bore to the rear of said member, whereby to provide a multi-lobe energy cell structure in which the lobe most remote from the combustion chamber is in direct heat exchange relation with the cooling jacket of said cylinder head.

2. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a drilled bore communicating with said combustion chamber, an energy cell structure constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said bore, means retaining said members against axially inward displacement, the innermost of said members having a hollow recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi openly connecting said lobe with said combustion chamber, the outermost of said members secured in said bore against axially outward displacement and arranged to hold said innermost member against outward displacement, a plug closing the. outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in said bore, and said outermost member having a port forming a venturi communicating the outer lobe with the innermost lobe.

3. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a drilled bore communicating with said combustion chamber, an energy cell structure constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said bore, means retaining said members against axially inward displacement, the innermost of said members having a hollow recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi openly connecting said lobe with said combustion chamber, the outermost of said members secured in said bore against axially outward displacement and arranged to hold said innermost member against outward displacement, a plug closing the outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in said bore, and said outermost member having a port forming a venturi communicating the outer lobe twithithe innermost lobe, anrintermediate member disposed between and abutting said innermost and said outermost members, said intermediate member having a hollowrecessed outer portion forming anintermediate lobe anda ported inner end forming a venturi openly'connecting said intermediate lobe with said innermost lobe, said outermost ,member venturi openly connecting the intermediate lobe with the outer lobe.

4. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a drilled bore communicating with said combustion chamber, an energy cell structure constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said bore, means retaining said members against axially inward displacement, the innermost of said members having a hollow recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi openly connecting said lobe with said combustion chamber, the outermost of said members secured in said bore against axially outward displacement and abutting the outer end of the innermost member to hold same against outward displacement, a plug closing the outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in said bore, and said outermost member having a port forming a venturi openly connecting the outer lobe with the innermost lobe.

5. in a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a drilled bore communicating with said combustion chamber, an energy cell structure constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said bore, means retaining said members against axially inward displacement, the outermost of said members secured in said bore against axially outward displacement and abutting the outer end of the next inwardly arranged member, each of the members inward of the outermost member having a hollow recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi open to said lobe, the venturi of the innermost member disposed adjacent to the combustion chamber and open thereto, the outermost member having a port forming a venturi openly connecting the lobe of the next inwardly arranged member with a portion of said bore, and a plug closing the outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in the bore portion aforesaid.

6. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a drilled bore communicating with said combastion chamber, an energy cell structure constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said bore, means retaining said members against axially inward displacement, the innermost of said members having a hollow'recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi openly connecting said lobe with said combustion chamber, the outermost of said members secured in Said bore against axially outward displacement and arranged to hold said innermost members against outward displacement, a plug closing the outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in said bore, and said outermost member having a port forming a venturi communicating the outer lobe with the innermost lobe, said means retaining the members against axially inward displacement comprising an arcuate lip at the inner end of said bore and against which is abutted the innermost member.

7. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a straight continuous drilled bore communicating with said combustion chamber, an energy cel structure, constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said base, means retaining said members against axially inward displacement, the innermost of said members having a hollow recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi openly connecting said lobe With said combustion chamber, the outermost of said members secured in said bore against axially outward displacement and arranged to hold said innermost member against outward displacement, a plug closing the outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in said bore, and said outermost member having a port forming a venturi communicating the outer lobe with the innermost lobe, each of said members being of the same diameter and closely fitting the diameter of said straight continuous bore.

8. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a drilled bore communicating with said combustion chamber, an energy cell structure constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said bore, means retaining said members against axially inward displace- "ment, the innermost of said members having a hollow recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi openly connecting said lobe with said combustion chamber, the outermost of said members secured in said bore against axially outward displacement and arranged to hold said innermost members against outward displacement, a plug closing the outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in said bore, and said outermost member having a port forming a venturi communicating the outer lobe with the innermost lobe, said means retaining the members against axially inward displacement comprising an arcuate lip at the inner end of said bore and against which is abutted the innermost member, and said outermost member abutting the next innermost member, and being peened to said bore to retain all of said members against axially outward displacement.

9. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a drilled bore communicating with said combustion chamber, an energy cell structure constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said bore, means retaining said members against axially inward displacement, the innermost of said members having a hollow recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi openly connecting said lobe with said combustion chamber, the outermost of said members secured in said bore against axially outward displacement and arranged to hold said innermost member against outward displacement, a plug closing the outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in said bore, and said outermost member having a port forming a venturi communicating the outer lobe with the innermost lobe, the axis of said bore being angularly offset from a line normal to a plane disposed tangentially With respect to the combustion chamber cylinder Wall at the bore opening, said bore extended to a point just short of completely opening into said combustion chamber to provide an arcuate lip abutment which comprises the aforesaid retaining means and which is located at the inner extremity of said bore, said innermost member of said cell structure abutting said arcuate lip abutment.

10. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a drilled bore communicating with said combustion chamber, an energy cell structure constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said bore, means retaining said members against axially inward displacement, the outermost of said members secured in said bore against axially outward displacement and abutting the outer end of the next inwardly arranged member, each of the members inward of the outermost member having a hollow recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi open to said lobe, the venturi of the innermost member disposed adjacent to the combustion chamber and open thereto, the outermost member having a port forming a venturi openly connecting the lobe of the next inwardly arranged member with a portion of said bore, and a plug closing the outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in the bore portion aforesaid, the volume of said lobes being arranged in increasing order from the innermost lobe to the outermost lobe.

11. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a drilled bore communicating with said combustion chamber, an energy cell structure constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said bore, means retaining said members against axially inward displacement, the innermost of said members having a hollow recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi openly connecting said lobe with said combustion chamber, the outermost of said members secured in said bore against axially outward displacement and arranged to hold said innermost member against outward displacement, a plug closing the outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in said bore, and said outermost member having a port forming a venturi communieating the outer lobe with the innermost lobe, an intermediate member disposed between and abutting said innermost and said outermost members, said intermediate member having a hollow recessed outer portion forming an intermediate lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi openly connecting said intermediate lobe with said innermost lobe, said outermost member venturi openly connecting the intermediate lobe with the outer lobe, said intermediate lobe being larger in value than the innermost lobe and smaller in volume than the outermost lobe.

12. In a compression ignition internal combustion engine provided with a cylinder head having a combustion chamber and a drilled bore communicating with said combustion chamber, an energy cell structure constructed and arranged for assembly in said bore and comprising a fabricated cell structure constructed of a plurality of machined members axially aligned in said bore, means retaining said members against axially inward displacement, the innermost of said members having a hollow recessed outer portion forming a cell-like lobe and a ported inner end forming a venturi openly connecting said lobe with said combustion chamber, the outermost of said members secured in said bore against axially outward displacement and abutting the outer end of the innermost member to hold same against outward displacement, a plug closing the outer end of said bore and spaced from said outermost member to form an outer cell-like lobe in said bore, and said outermost member having a port forming a venturi openly connecting the outer lobe with the innermost lobe, said outer lobe being larger in volume than said innermost lobe.

Roensch June 1, 1948 Morris Nov. 22, 1949 

